I purchased a 2001 ford windstar in october 2001. I have had to have the transmission rebuilt in december 2003. I only have 46,640 miles on this vehicle. It has cost me $2158 to have this repaired. The transmission should not have been giving me problems with this few of miles on it. The transmission starting changing really hard and starting making loud clunking noises when shifting. It began to start slipping into neutral while driving down the road. The dealership has not helped me at all and ford motor company has been informed of my problem. The state attorney general has also been notified. I think ford motor should have a recall and pay for the repairs for these vehicles that have failed for those of us who trusted these to be reliable family vehicles. Go to www.carsurvey.org and see all the consumer complaints for the ford windstars. The windshield wiper motor had to be replaced just shortly after I purchased this vehicle. Floor to seat safety latches have been replaced due to recall in december 2003. Windshield has constant crackling noise as I am driving.
2001 Ford Windstar transmission complaints
Page 6 of 6: complaints 131 to 145 of 145, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Consumer had difficulty shifting from park to drive. Vehicle was taken to an independent transmission shop where the mechanic found excessive metal in the pan and on the magnet. Mechanic suggested removal of the transmission for inspection.
We purchased our 2001 ford windstar with approximately 24,000 miles on it. One week after we purchased the van the indicator light for the air bags would not go off. We took the van to the dealer and they fixed the problem. Shortly after that incident the rear heat and A/C would not operate. We took the van to the local dealer again and they repaired the problem under warranty. A few weeks after that the check engine light came on and they tried to fix it but it came back on. They charged us for that visit. The check engine light is still on we now have around 70,000 miles on the van. When the van had accumulated about 35,000 miles the transmission started shuddering. The van would shake all over during driving. Recently I had to have the transmission replaced. There is a leak around the passenger door on the left side of the van. There is a clicking noise when I brake that no one seems to know what it is or how to fix it. Now there is a loud humming noise coming from the automatic power steering fluid pump. It is so loud that it can be heard even when the radio is turned on. It used to be loud when I turned a corner or onto another street but now it is loud when I am sitting at a stop light. When we first purchased the van there was a foul odor coming from the venting system. I asked the service tech at the local dealership about this but he did not know why this was happening. We still have an odor even after changing the filter twice for the vent system. We are very unhappy with our purchase and would never consider buying another windstar.
Over thirty separate warranty repairs over two years. Faulty electrical door locks (kids couldn't exit), transmission leakage, transmission failure, front-end defects with loud thumping noises and several body problems. Most notable body problems are wind noise and water leakage through doors and windows. Most recently, the fuel pump failed (@ 37,000 miles). Ford has all along refused to acknowledge the problems. Now that the vehicle is out of warranty, they have again said they will not doing anything. The vehicle is unreliable and unsafe to operate.
I have a 2001 ford windstar with 45,000 miles. Our transmission failed with a complete rebuild to be done. 2,100.00. My biggest complaint is that ford's dealership was not willing to help us in getting a loaner car and with only 45,000 miles, you would think that these should not be failing so soon.
Vehicle was placed in reverse gear and car would not move in reverse.*mr the consumer was told the transmission would cost 1800-2000 miles. *jb
We have leased a 2001 ford windstar and have had it for approximately 2 years, taking out 15,000 miles per year. Several days ago, we could not move the car after we stopped at a light. We finally had to have it towed at our expense and found out that the whole transmission had been "blown." (only after 40,000 miles.) we felt that our safety was at stake, since no warning signs within the van, told us that the problem existed and we were at a major intersection, which could have resulted in some serious injuries.
Consumer states check engine light is on. Dealer replace fuel cap and evaporative purge valve, however problem still exist and now the vehicle is stalling causing vehicle to have no braking and power steering power. Squeaking noise when setting still. Belt tensioner replaced.
I feel that these component failures have caused a safety risk for my family and I. I bought a windstar based mainly on it's safety ratings. This disappoints me.
After starting vehicle ABS light stayed on and overdrive light was flashing. Vehicle not taken to dealer yet.
While at a complete stop vehicle started to accelerate and tried to go forward, but consumer was stepping on brake pedal. Contacted dealer, and dealer was not willing to do anything.
While driving, and upon upon coming to a stop on an incline car rolls backward very freely, when on steep incline car rolls backward as if it is in neutral. Contacted manufacturer.*ak
Consumer stated arm rest on the passenger side of the vehicle is broken, cause unknown. *ak clunk noise in front end while turning or accelerating from a stop, can also be felt with vibration, passenger side dash area hanging. Both sliding door rubber stops missing, driverside sliding door stop replaced. Grinding noise in rear when applying brakes. When heat is on vent smells like something is burning. Wipers will not clear windshield, washer solvent sprays in one spot. Normal operation.
While driving 65mph vehicle lost power. Prior to loss of power overdrive light illuminated. Dealer has been notified. Please provide additional information.
Transmission rolls or slipswhen on any incline when in any gear (d,1,2 or r)
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